Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has candidly shared his emotional turmoil following rejection by Premier League club Crystal Palace, revealing it as the most devastating setback among numerous academy disappointments.
The 24-year-old reflected on the profound impact of being turned away by the Eagles, admitting that the rejection took a significant toll on his psyche.
Semenyo divulged that the rejection from Crystal Palace led to a period of self-doubt and inactivity, during which he gained weight and withdrew from football for a year.
“I went to quite a few clubs and was told the same thing that I wasn’t good enough. It’s tough as a kid hearing that,” Semenyo told Sky Sports having been playing Sunday League for local side Kingfisher amid unsuccessful trials with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Millwall.
“Palace hit me hard the most because I was there for so long. My trial got extended and I thought I was going to be signed – and it didn’t happen.
“I remember getting into the car crying and saying to my dad, ‘Why does this keep happening?’. I stopped playing football for a year after that. I didn’t play any sport, I put on a lot of weight. I didn’t think I’d be here, but God works in mysterious ways.”
